| The Florida Folk Festival
was cancelled three days ago due to safety concerns as a result
of the fires in northern Florida. Safety first, always. As a result,
the festival that has been a mainstay of Florida folk music for
55 years isn't going to be happening in White Springs on Memorial
Day this year. Luckily, we're just crazy enough to bring a bunch
of the artists who were to perform at the festival this year to
Orlando this weekend, organize a festival in 48 hours, and have
our own version of it. We call it:
The Florida Faux Festival
On Saturday, 5/26/07, from
11AM to 11PM, Central Florida
Folk, United Arts of Central Florida, and the Plaza
Theatre proudly present more than 25 incredible folk music
acts in one beautiful venue on one single day.
The price of this full day's entertainment
is $10.00 general admission.
Cash & credit cards will be accepted at the door.
The Plaza Theatre's three stages will
be operating nonstop and that means that you will have your choice
of artist to listen to at any given time. The music will be folk
and acoustic-based with songs that range from traditional to original,
Gospel to jazzy, touching to hilarious, you know-Americana!!!
The Florida Faux Festival will be
held in the Plaza Theatre
(www.theplazatheatre.com), located at 425 North Bumby Avenue,
Orlando, Florida 32803. It features 2 beautiful listening rooms
with state of the art sound systems and every seat is a great
one. We are also going to have live music in the lobby in the
lounge area if you want to kick back and chill for a bit. There
will be soft drinks, beer, and wine served here. Light snacks,
too. We are currently working on getting several local restaurants
to make food available for festival-goers, too.
The Florida Faux Festival is being
presented by Central Florida Folk, United Arts of Central Florida,
and the Plaza Theatre.
Headlining Artists:
Amy
Carol Webb
(http://www.amycarolwebb.com/)
Amy Carol Webb's music makes brave
new territory feel like your own back yard, a transforming celebration
of the never-quit pioneering spirit of her Native American great-grandmothers
and the soul searching ministrations of her father and grandfather
before her. From Boston to Bayfront, the venerated Kennedy Center
to Florida's festival stages, Amy's "liquid vocals sing of
a better world and makes it a joyful proposition." (Performing
Songwriter). Amy was scheduled to headline the Florida Folk Festival
this year and has graciously accepted our invitation to come to
Orlando and join us this Saturday. She is a POWERFUL performer
who will make you laugh, cry, and think. You CANNOT miss this
experience.
Mindy
Simmons
(http://mindysimmons.com/)
A dose of singer/songwriter Mindy
Simmons is just what the laugh doctor ordered. She combines quick
wit and charm with a voice that moves from silky smooth to gutsy
blues creating a memorable performance that feels like an evening
with your best friend.
Jeannie
Fitchen
(http://www.jfitchen.com/)
Winner of the 2001 Florida Folk Heritage
Award, Jeannie was nominated for a Contemporary Folk Album Grammy
award for her album, "Roads." Jeanie's concert performances
take you through the entire gamut of emotions as she spins yarns
and tugs at the heartstrings, incorporating traditional as well
as contemporary topical elements in her programs. She is a highly-acclaimed
songwriter with the ability to evoke through melancholy and euphoria
the wondrous resilience and vitality of life.
Amy Carol Webb, Mindy Simmons, and
Jeannie Fitchen will also be performing a set of music together
as the Daughters of Florida Folk, singing the harmonies that they
have each become famous for. These three wonderful performers
sang a song together at last year's Florida Folk Festival and
were scheduled to do so again at this year's FFF and we are pleased
to present them singing an entire set of all Florida songs together,
classic to contemporary.
Bob Rafkin
(http://www.bobrafkin.com/)
Bob's first CD, "Down This Road",
released in 1994, was lauded by DIRTY LINEN: "He's an exceptional
guitarist, has a smooth, pleasing voice, and his years spent in
the studio show in the simple, yet effective, arrangements."
Since then, Bob has released six other CDs, "Out Of Jericho",
"The Circus Is In Town", "One Man Band", two
guitar instrumental CD's, "Velvet Hand" and "Six
String Christmas" and his latest "Songs Of Bob Rafkin".
A Bob Rafkin composition, "Lazy Waters", was included
on The Byrds' recently released box set.
Grant
Livingston
(http://www.grantlivingston.com/)
Named the Best Acoustic Performer
by the Miami New Times in 2003, Miamian Grant Livingston has an
offbeat sense of humor that comes through the stories told in
his songs. His lyrics are relentlessly positive, whether he's
teaching "a sailing lesson in three easy verses," (Pointy
Side Up) or planning his own funeral (A Little Invitation)! As
a guitarist, Livingston employs a style which is a unique mix
of ragtime, country blues, and early swing. Comfortably at home
with the musical style of the 1920s he sometimes adds his interpretation
of classic songs from the period to his own originals.
Doug
Spears
(http://www.dougspearsmusic.com/)
Jim Abbott of The Orlando Sentinel
says that "Doug Spears [is] an accomplished songwriter, and
his new disc, "Truths & Lies", is burnished like
an old hardwood floor. With a voice reminiscent of John Denver
and a full acoustic backup band, Spears has put out a folk/Americana
disc that's as enjoyable for the local storytelling as it is for
the musicianship." 'Nuff said.
Other featured performers:
.
Jeff Howell (ex of the
syndicated Monsters in the Morning show on XM satellite radio)
SusieCool & The Coolottes
Garrison Doles
Lisa Firestone
Stephen Currence
Dan Gribbin
Blues Got Us
Stuart Hall & The MicroTones
James Hawkins
Doug Halper
Leigh Goldsmith and Ken Skeens
The Allen Brothers
Hymn for Her (Maggi & Pierce)
Toby Bonar
Sharon Osuna
Lathan Hudson (4 time Grammy Award nominated composer)
Barry Brogan
Work Release
Daniel Springen
Terri
Binion
Chris Kahl
Details & Specifics:
The Florida Faux Festival
Saturday, May 26, 2007
11AM to 11PM
12 hours/3 stages/25 acts
The Plaza Theatre
425 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
407-228-1220
General admission price: $10.00 for
everyone.
Cash & credit cards will be accepted.
For more information contact:
Stuart Hall
Coordinator/Producer/Bottle Washer
407-898-8298
Halsey@aol.com
Florida Faux Festival website: http://www.cffolk.com/
Head Honcho/Producer/Bottle Washer:
Stuart Hall 407-898-8298
|
